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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLS ANTITRUST EXEMPTION HISTORY In the United States professional sports are an American way of life and culture These leagues started out as entertainment for all of its spectators but progressed into Abig business which has allowed team owners to prosper tremendously Initially majority of the different professional sports team owners used various methods to restrict players mobility and salaries andor attempted to monopolize the sport in some aspect However through the judicial courts of the federal government antitrust laws apply to all professional sports except baseball The antitrust statutes applicable to professional sports are within the Sherman Act No area of law has impacted professional sports over the past thirty years than antitrust Roberts 135 First enacted by Congress in 1890 the Sherman Act was to curb concentrations of power that interfered with trade and reduced economic competition These laws are the major mechanisms available to affect change in sports Champion 52 Various groups have used the antitrust laws eg players owners colleges etc The goal of these antitrust plaintiffs was to achieve some result at the expense of management whether it was for better wages better conditions a new location or less control Champion 53 These cases were applied to Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act The Sherman Act 15 USC Section 1 states AEvery contract combination in the form of a trust or otherwise or conspiracy in restraint of trade of commerce among the several States or with foreign nations is declared to be illegal This Section of the Sherman Act is to protect the public interest from competitive practices Application of the statute to professional sports antitrust cases involves challenges to any league rule decision or action league conduct by come dissatisfied person a team player claiming conspiracy of the league member clubs to restrain competition among themselves Roberts 140 Section 2 of the Sherman Act is AEvery person

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